City comparison
Dallas vs Washington Cost of Living
Compare overall indexes, housing costs, and budget targets between Dallas (110.6) and Washington (142.9).
Dallas Index
110.6
Washington Index
142.9
Dallas Rent
$2,400
Washington Rent
$3,800
Dallas Home price
$414,000
Washington Home price
$705,000
Salary equivalent calculator
Enter your current salary in Dallas to estimate the income needed for a similar lifestyle in Washington.
Equivalent salary in Washington
$113,700
Based on the relative overall cost of living between Dallas and Washington.
Category-by-category differences
Use this table to see which categories make one city more or less expensive than the other.
| Category | Dallas | Washington | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | 131 | 201 | +70.0 (+53.4%) |
| Groceries | 99 | 117 | +18.0 (+18.2%) |
| Transportation | 103 | 109 | +6.0 (+5.8%) |
| Healthcare | 98 | 111 | +13.0 (+13.3%) |
| Utilities | 97 | 104 | +7.0 (+7.2%) |
| Miscellaneous | 101 | 118 | +17.0 (+16.8%) |
Budget comparison
Single
$4,980 / $6,720
Dallas / Washington
Couple
$8,270 / $11,160
Dallas / Washington
Family
$11,650 / $15,720
Dallas / Washington
Frequently Asked Questions
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View Dallas city page
Open the full cost-of-living profile for Dallas.
View Washington city page
Open the full cost-of-living profile for Washington.
Last updated: Q1 2026
Data as of Q1 2026. Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Census Bureau, HUD Fair Market Rents.
Cost of living indexes use the national average as baseline (100). Data is updated periodically.